The Shetland Islands
make up a group of approximately 100 islands, about 50
miles off the northern coast of Scotland, and almost as
far north as Norway. Of all the islands, only about 25
are inhabited. The largest of these islands is called
Mainland. It is about 60 miles in length, and 20 miles
at its widest and just 50 yards at its smallest width -
where one can throw a stone from the Atlantic Ocean into
the North Sea.
The islands are as rugged as they are
beautiful, with rocky coastlines, harsh and damp
climate, coastal storms, and sparseness of vegetation
and grazing lands. Because of this sparseness
of vegetation and grazing areas, the islands are known
for producing livestock in diminutive size... from their
cattle, to the world famous Shetland Pony... to their
sheep whose long, soft wool has made Shetland wool
products in demand the world over... to their beautiful
Shetland Sheepdog, with its look of a collie in
miniature.
In the beginning
the Islands first inhabitants were a
small dark race of people - the Picts - who gave the
land its reputation for being inhabited by "pixies" or
fairies. Later the Norsemen overran the Islands, and
then the Scots as well, so that today, the inhabitants
are a combination of the native breeds of each of these
peoples.
At one point, the Sheltie was known as the "Toonie"
dog. The theory behind the name is that since many of
the islanders were of Norwegian ancestry, and the
Norwegian word for small farm is "Tun or "Toon"... thus
the name Toonie, or small farm dog.
The
chief job of the Sheltie was not just to
herd cattle or sheep as is commonly thought of all
herding breeds, but their job was also to keep the small
ponies, cattle, sheep, and water fowl out of the gardens
and flower beds found on the farms of the homesteaders.
They did not have huge flocks or herds to maintain,
because there were not huge flocks or herds found on
the island... what herding they did was in addition to
their ability to chase away the livestock that
threatened to eat the garden and flowers of the
homesteaders.
This background probably explains why the Sheltie of
today are homebodies that prefer to be busy little bees
around the yard, chasing and often barking at anything
that moves, eager to please, and intensely loyal to its
family. The islanders selected their dogs for these
qualities, as well as for their ability to work,
stamina, courage, and intelligence - a trait which can
still be seen in the modern Shelties of today.
The Sheltie was originally recognized as
the "Shetland Collie", but early Collie breeders
objected to the name and it was ultimately changed to
the Shetland Sheepdog. They were originally not
supposed to exceed 12 inches nor 14 pounds according to
the Shetland Stud book set up in 1908. Official
recognition from the Kennel Club (English) occurred in
1909. The first Sheltie standard was written in 1910,
at which time the height was raised to 15 inches.
Shelties were first registered in the United States in
1911 but there was no real interest in the breed until
1924 when Catherine Coleman Moore began "Sheltieland"
Kennels by importing an English female "Kilvarock
Lassie." As a result, all of the founding stock for
American, and subsequently Canadian Shelties trace to
English dogs. The modern American/Canadian Sheltie is
descended almost entirely from dogs imported from
England between World Wars I and II.
Of the dogs registered between 1909 and 1926, 42% were
black and tan with no white (a colour we no longer
see). 18% of the dogs registered were tricolours, 15%
were sables, 4% black and white and 8% sable and white.
Other colours recorded where chocolates, browns, blacks,
brindled sable, and white black and tan. The Blue Merle
colour was introduced into the breed after they were
brought to England and crossed with Collies.
Interestingly enough, the most popular colour in the
first part of the century (black and tan no white)
is virtually extinct having been bred out over the
years. The solid coated colors - those having no white
- and which originally accounted for at least half the
original registrations - are gone from the breed. And
one of the least popular colours of the time, the sable
and white, is now by far, one of the most popular colour
of the Sheltie. Originally coats were sparse and light
since a heavy coat was a detriment to a working dog, but
over the years, as popularity demanded, coats in
fullness and length at about the same rate as the
Collie's over the past 75 years to the more heavily coat
dog we see today.
Both the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel
Club presently recognize the breed in the Herding Group.
The current size standard in both countries is 13-16
inches at the withers.
The Sheltie we love today were once the homesteaders
working partners, sharing their lives during long
winters and summer days, caring for their flocks, and
guarding their property. This close association with
humans, plus the instinct of generations of herding dogs
in his genetic makeup, gave the Sheltie uncanny
understanding of people and an intense sense of loyalty
and responsibility... a trait which they still exhibit
in today's modern world, making the Sheltie one of the
most endearing and popular breeds of dogs in North
America.
For more information please visit Sue Ann
Bowling's
Sheltie History Pages
